702.4193 Manchuria/10: Telegram
The Minister in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
[Received September 21—1:35 p.m.]
425. Reference the Legation’s telegram No. 409 of September 11, 11 a.m.,96 following telegram has been received from American Consul General at Mukden:
“September 20, 3 p.m. Referring to my telegram of September 10, 2 p.m., the Japanese Consul General has finally replied in writing to the memorandum of my British colleague and myself of August 23rd concerning the Coghill-Ford-Rowsome case. His communication encloses the police report of investigator which completely ignores the testimony of the three foreigners placing upon them primary blame for the incident and is distinctly discourteous in tone. It is manifest that the local Japanese authorities are definitely unwilling to take any action against the assailants.
I am reporting in full by despatch suggesting advisability of diplomatic representations. My British colleague has taken similar action.”
2. Legation is of the opinion that if perpetrators of this deliberate attack on foreigners go unpunished by Japanese authorities frequent [Page 283] repetition of such attacks may be expected in Manchuria and North China.